Middletown Police are investigating a phone scam involving a fraudulent caller who contacted a Middletown resident from a foreign phone exchange.

According to police, the caller said they had taken an elderly woman’s daughter hostage, and threatened to harm her daughter if she did not follow his instructions to the letter.

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Investigators say the caller kept the woman on the phone with him as he continued to deliver step by step instructions to her. She was ordered to withdraw money from her bank account and send it immediately to him via western union.

Police say while on the phone with the caller, the woman was able to alert a bankteller, who notified authorities.

According to investigators, while she was about to complete the callers ext instructions, which included sending a larger amount of money, police were able locate the daughter who was safe.

Police say that this type of extortion is best addressed when federal and local authorities are notified, while the incident is progress. Anytime a person receives a call and is asked in any way to send money, you should immediately be suspicious.